Alcoa Corporation has welcomed joint support from the United States and Australian governments for the development of a new gallium manufacturing plant to be co-located at the company’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia.
According to Alcoa, the initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening international cooperation on critical minerals and establishing an alternate gallium supply chain, which is essential for the semiconductor and defence industries.
In a statement released on October 20, Alcoa said the announcement follows earlier backing from Japan Australia Gallium Associates Pty Ltd (JAGA), a joint venture between the Japanese Government and Sojitz Corporation, under a Joint Development Agreement signed in August.
Following the completion of feasibility studies, a special purpose vehicle jointly owned by the US and Australian governments and Alcoa is expected to enter a joint venture with JAGA to construct the gallium plant.
The facility would be operated by Alcoa and is anticipated to produce about 100 metric tons of gallium annually.
“Alcoa has been a strong contributor to both the American and Australian economies and welcomes the opportunity to support both nations in progressing a new source of gallium,” said Alcoa President and CEO William F. Oplinger.
“The investment support from the U.S. and Australian governments underscores Alcoa’s role in supporting the development of the critical mineral supply chain, and the importance of our Australian operations not only to the aluminum industry, but also as key to manufacturing, technology, and defense industries.”
Under the terms of the non-binding agreement, the US and Australian governments and Alcoa would each provide capital to the special purpose vehicle and receive gallium offtake in proportion to their investment.
The funding would be directed toward final feasibility assessments and the development and construction phases of the project.
Definitive agreements for the gallium joint venture will be prepared among the governments of the United States, Australia, and Japan, alongside Alcoa and Sojitz.
Alcoa stated that gallium, naturally present in bauxite – the raw material used in alumina production – can be extracted during the refining process.
The company said the mineral is regarded as critical to modern manufacturing and technology applications, particularly in semiconductors and defence systems.
Alcoa said it would continue working closely with the Western Australian Government to progress the project under the State Agreement and approvals framework.
The parties are reportedly targeting 2026 for a final investment decision and the start of production.
The content of this article is based on information supplied by Alcoa Corporation. For more information, please refer to the official company announcement and communications from Alcoa. Please consult a licensed and/or registered professional in this area before making any decisions based on the content of this article.
